Henry County Marriage Records Search

Henry County marriage records are filed and stored at the Probate Court in Abbeville. This southeast Alabama county has about 17,205 residents. The Probate Court handles all marriage certificate filings for Henry County. Alabama changed its marriage system in 2019 with Act 2019-340. You no longer need a marriage license or a ceremony. Just file a signed form with the court and you are married. Henry County keeps marriage records going back to 1821 for anyone who needs copies.

Henry County Probate Court

The Henry County Probate Court records all marriages in the county. The Probate Judge oversees this office. In Henry County, the Probate Judge also serves as Chairman of the County Commission. This means the judge wears multiple hats. Staff can help you file a new marriage certificate or get copies of old records.

Henry County has two related offices. The Probate office is at 102 North Court Square. The Recording office is at 101 Court Square, Suite A. For marriage filings, start at the Probate office. They will direct you to the right place for your needs. Both offices are in downtown Abbeville near the courthouse.

You can file your marriage certificate during business hours. The office accepts walk-ins. Staff are helpful and can answer questions about the filing process. Call ahead if you want to check on wait times or ask about services. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

Henry County has online search options for some records. Check their website to see what is available. Not all records are online, but indexes can help you find what you need before you visit.

How to File a Marriage Certificate

Filing a marriage certificate in Henry County is simple. Alabama no longer uses marriage licenses. You do not need a ceremony or an officiant. Marriage is now a contract. Two people sign a form and file it with the Probate Court. That is all it takes to be legally married.

First, get the marriage certificate form. You can download it from the state website at dph1.adph.state.al.us/marriage/. There are two forms. One is for adults age 18 and over. One is for minors age 16 to 17 who have parental consent. Pick the right form for your case. Fill it out with both names, dates of birth, and other facts.

Next, both parties sign the form. You can sign on the same day or on different days. The marriage date is the date of the last signature. You must sign in front of an Alabama notary public. Out-of-state notaries will not work. The Henry County Probate Court has notaries on staff. There may be a small fee for notary service.

Then bring the signed form to the Probate Court in Abbeville. You have 30 days from the last signature to file. Pay the recording fee by check. The clerk will record the form and give you a receipt. You are now legally married in Henry County.

Under Code of Alabama Section 30-1-9.1, you must meet these rules:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Persons aged 16 or 17 need parental consent
• Both parties must have mental capacity
• Neither party can be married already
• The parties cannot be related by blood
• If divorced, wait 60 days before remarrying

Henry County Marriage Fees

Henry County charges fees for recording marriage certificates and for copies. The fees are set by state law and county policy. Call ahead to confirm current rates since fees can change. The office accepts payment by check. Ask about other payment options when you call.

These are the main fees at the Henry County Probate Court:

• Filing fee: $5.00
• First page recording: $6.00
• Additional pages: $3.00 each
• Notary service: Additional fee may apply

Henry County breaks down the fee into filing and recording parts. The total depends on how many pages your form has. Most marriage certificates are just a few pages. Call the office at (334) 585-3257 to get the exact total for your case.

If you need a certified copy from the state instead, the Alabama Department of Public Health charges $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Each extra copy costs $6. You can order online through VitalChek at about $30 total. The state has records from August 1936 to today. For older records going back to 1821, you need the Henry County Probate Court.

How to Get Marriage Record Copies

You can get copies of Henry County marriage records in several ways. The method you pick depends on how fast you need the copy and whether you need a certified or plain copy. Both the county and state can provide copies.

For county copies, visit the Probate Court in Abbeville. Bring ID and the names of both spouses. Staff can search the records and make copies. In-person requests are often same-day. The office serves a small population, so wait times are usually short. You can also call ahead and ask about mail requests.

Henry County has some online search options through their website. You may be able to view indexes or search records online. Check with the office about what is available. Not all records are online, but it can help you find what you need before you visit.

For state copies, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Include $15 for the search and copy. You can order online at vitalchek.com which adds a service fee. The state has records from 1936 to today. Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days.

Under Code of Alabama Section 22-9A-21, marriage records are public. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be related to the people on the record. You do not need to state a reason for your request.

Historical Marriage Records

Henry County has marriage records going back to 1821. This is over 200 years of records. The county was formed in 1819 as one of Alabama's original counties. Old records contain different information than modern ones. What you find depends on when the marriage took place.

Records from before 1888 show basic facts. These include names of the bride and groom. They list bondsmen who vouched for the couple. They name the officiant who led the ceremony. They show the license bond amount and marriage date. These old records are often handwritten and can be hard to read.

Starting in 1910, records got more detailed. They began to include names of parents. Physical descriptions of both parties appeared. Age, occupation, and number of prior marriages were added. These records help with family history research in Henry County.

Many people visit Henry County to research their ancestors. The Probate Court can help you search. The Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery has microfilm copies of some Henry County records. FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexes online too. These can help you find a record before you request a copy.

Henry County's long record history makes it valuable for genealogy. Families who lived in southeast Alabama before the Civil War often appear in these records. Researchers come from across the country to dig into Henry County's past.

State Records Alternative

You can also get marriage records from the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state has records from August 1936 to today. This is an option if you cannot visit the Henry County Probate Court or if you are not sure which county the marriage was filed in.

State copies cost $15 for a search plus one certified copy. Extra copies are $6 each. You can request by mail or online through VitalChek. The state address is P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, AL 36103-5625. Call (334) 206-5418 with questions. Mail takes 10 to 15 business days. VitalChek orders ship in 3 to 5 business days but cost about $30 total.

Keep in mind the state only has records from 1936 forward. Henry County has records back to 1821. If you need an older record, you must contact the Henry County Probate Court directly. The state cannot help with pre-1936 marriages.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Henry County. If you live near a county line, check your address to see which county you are in. You can file your marriage certificate in any Alabama county, but many people prefer to use their home county.